Dr. Vera Tory – the doctor of the smallest

In June we spoke with another fantastic doctor from our pediatric team; Dr. Vera Tory.

I will assume that you must have lived and worked abroad in an English-speaking country given your quality of the language?

Well in fact I was born in Budapest; a child of two doctors. At one point when I was younger my father was awarded a two-year scholarship in the United Stated working as a genetic researcher. We were quite fortunate as the whole family was able to join him for his tenure. During this time I worked in a hospital gaining my first international working experience for my later profession.

How did you become interested in medicine?

My mother is an internist and angiologist. When I was a child I used to visit her at work while she was on duty; I think I was ‘infected’ with the idea of becoming a doctor early in life. There were passing moments when I played with the idea of becoming a lawyer or a dancer, but the original idea was very fixed in my mind. Pediatrics itself is an old flame as well. I have always liked caring for children, often babysitting during my school years. When I had the chance try out other specialties at university, my desire for pediatrics only became reinforced. Children are incredibly honest, the smaller they are the more so.

Even among children it seems you even treat the smallest of them, right?

I am a neonatologist, where I get to experience stunning reactions from prematurely born children who are not yet ready for independent life. The smallest intervention can bring about life-saving results. Besides working for FirstMed as a pediatrician, I am also the head of the Neonatology Department at St. János Hospital in Budapest. There I am given the chance to be present at complicated child-births, providing emergency care to the newborn. I am also involved in the aftercare portion up until the moment the newborn is ready to join their mother.

The delivery room is always a challenge, moments full of expectations. First of all it is always a mystery, what the infant will be like and how we, the team, can use our skills to our best potential. Then to be able to tell when, and if, our intervention is needed. We are the gatekeepers of when the newborn is ready to join their mother. Finally continuous communication with parents and the endless effort of trying to help new mothers with premature children helps us develop feelings of motherhood in them.

The fact that the baby arrived earlier than expected, adding that the baby is quickly taken away for treatment and observation, can create huge amounts of stress for new mothers. Despite all these circumstances we do our best to provide the necessary environment for the initial bonding to happen between mother and child as seamlessly as possible. Making this happen in the neonatal intensive care unit is not an easy task.

I suppose you have saved a lot of new lives this way.

It is always a teamwork. We cannot stress enough that any result from the medical intervention doesn’t rest solely on the shoulders of the doctor but the entire medical team and the equipment available during an intervention. This is ten times truer in neonatology. Without the equipment and my colleagues I would not be effective. We cry and laugh together…

Do you see the smallest of the small only at FirstMed too?

At FirstMed I actually see children up to 18 years of age, but my colleagues know, given my background, they can consult with me or refer patients, when they are newborns in distress. In addition to regular visits I also provide a consultation that enhances bonds between mother and child*.

If you would like to consult with Doctor Tory or any of our other pediatricians please call 224-9090 to make an appointment.

*You can read about the ‘Integrated Parent-Baby Consultation’ in this issue too.

Testimonials

Recently while in Budapest my wife developed an abscess. The evening of the 28th of December I called FirstMed and made an appointment for my wife at 9 am the following morning. The quality of service…[Read more]– James Davis

My experience with you was perfect. I had already been to a few other doctors and clinics, both private and public, and had been very unhappy and frustrated with the level of care they provided and how I had been treated as a non-Hungarian speaker…[Read more]– M.I.

As a former employee, and patient, I may be a bit biased, but FirstMed is family. [My doctor] diagnosed me with a heart murmur, she held my hand throughout the entire process…[Read more]– Suzi Shepherd

FirstMed services deserve to be well-known in Budapest, your overall standard of care is truly outstanding. Your nursing staff were all so attentive and professionally competent that even though my lumbar/sciatic pain…[Read more]– Douglas Johnson

I want to thank every doctor, nurse and receptionist for treating me kindly and going out of their way to make the four visits pleasant. I was in terrible pain and really appreciate the outstanding service in a foreign country. I HIGHLY recommend everyone there.– Lisa Rinaldi

I want to thank you and your staff for your kindness and assistance during my visit. Your service was first rate and very caring. Also, the speed in which you and your staff worked was amazing.– Donna Goldbach-Martin

I would like to commend your entire staff for their excellent care during my visits for treatment the past two weeks. I must say I expected good care but to receive not only Excellent…[Read more]– Art Bailey

I want to say that the organization worked with the efficiency of a Swiss watch. I came in for my Visa physical and I was nervous. The doctor was great!! She made me feel relaxed and comfortable…[Read more]– Ryan J.

I just want to say “Thank you” for the excellent service and care I have received through FirstMed Centers. Your receptionists are always pleasant and willing to serve. The nurses and doctors have been professional and helpful. I feel I have received excellent health care while living in Hungary.– Elaine Broadley

I chose FirstMed from a selection of clinics advertised on the web. I liked the way the staff members were listed with photos on the website, and was encouraged by the testimonials…[Read more]– Sara Duncan

As a first time Mum I did not know what to expect and FirstMed was able to guide me though the medical pre-natal issues and also the softer non-medical issues such as hospital tours..[Read more]– Jenny and John M.

Unfortunately our family is leaving Budapest… I would like to thank you and your colleagues for all your help ant treatments done for us. It was big pleasure to be patients of your clinic.
Thank you very much!– A.J.

I have been to your click twice, met with two doctors, they are wonderful. One is the Orthopedist, and the other one is the eye Dr. Peter Gyöngyösi. They both are very professional and friendly, make you feel very comfortable and welcomed. The receptionists are also very friendly.– Yan. S.

[Dr. Detra] I was the 21-year-old Hong Kong young man who had visit First Med for a small surgery on my leg due to the pus. I have kept visiting clinic for cleaning the wound in Poland and Czech after travelling to there. [Read more]– Cheuky Lai- Hong Kong

[Regarding a visit with Dr. Toth] The whole process was very professional. I appreciated the quality of health care & diagnosis that made it easy to manage with my situation. Certainly will be delighted to recommend others in because of the professional approach.-J.K.

Very positive experience, from the receptionist, to the nurse, the lab assistants, the physician. Everybody is very professional and at the same time prioritize the customer experience.[Read more]– L.T.

I have visited FirstMed several times and I have always found it to be helpful. I go to a private doctor because my experience with Hungarian doctors who do not work in the private sector is that they do not listen to patient needs. I will return should my health situation require another visit. Thank you for providing a quality service.[Read more]– Dr. B.E.